In the Holy Books it is recorded that when the Sun of Truth dawns,
it will appear in the East, and its light will be reflected in the West.
Already its dawning has taken place in the East, and its signs are
appearing in the West. Its illumination shall spread rapidly and
widely in the Occident. The Sun of Truth has risen in Persia, and its
effulgence is now manifest here in America. This is the greatest
proof of its appearance in the horizon of the world, as recorded in
the heavenly Books. Praise be to God! That which is prophesied in
the Holy Books has been fulfilled.

2

On Sunday last at Carnegie Hall the revered soul who introduced
`Abdu'l-Bahá gave voice to the statement that according to
tradition demons would appear from the land of the sunrise, but
now we find angels appearing instead. At the time this statement
was made a reply was not possible, but today we will speak of it.
The great spiritual lights have always appeared in the East. The
Blessed Perfection, Bahá'u'lláh, appeared in the East. Jesus Christ
dawned upon the horizon of the East. Moses, Aaron, Joseph and
all the Israelitish prophets such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and
others appeared from the Orient. The lights of Muhammad and the
Báb shone from the East. The eastern horizon has been flooded
with the effulgence of these great lights, and only from the East
have they risen to shine upon the West. Now--praise be to
God!--you are living in the dawn of a cycle when the Sun of Truth
is again shining forth from the East, illumining all regions.

3

The world has become a new world. The darkness of night
which has enveloped humanity is passing. A new day has dawned.
Divine susceptibilities and heavenly capacities are developing in
human souls under the training of the Sun of Truth. The capacities
of souls are different. Their conditions are various. For example,
certain minerals come from the stony regions of the earth. All are
minerals, all are produced by the same sun, but one remains a stone
while another develops the capacity of a glittering gem or jewel.
From one plot of land tulips and hyacinths grow; from another,
thorns and thistles. Each plot receives the bounty of the sunshine,
but the capacity to receive it is not the same. Therefore, it is requisite
that we must develop capacity and divine susceptibility in
order that the merciful bounty of the Sun of Truth intended for this
age and time in which we are living may reflect from us as light
from pure crystals.

4

The bounties of the Blessed Perfection are infinite. We must endeavor
to increase our capacity daily, to strengthen and enlarge our
capabilities for receiving them, to become as perfect mirrors. The
more polished and clean the mirror, the more effulgent is its reflection
of the lights of the Sun of Truth. Be like a well-cultivated garden
wherein the roses and variegated flowers of heaven are growing
in fragrance and beauty. It is my hope that your hearts may become
as ready ground, carefully tilled and prepared, upon which
the divine showers of the bounties of the Blessed Perfection may
descend and the zephyrs of this divine springtime may blow with
quickening breath. Then will the garden of your hearts bring forth
its flowers of delightful fragrance to refresh the nostril of the
heavenly Gardener. Let your hearts reflect the glories of the Sun of
Truth in their many colors to gladden the eye of the divine Cultivator
Who has nourished them. Day by day become more closely
attracted in order that the love of God may illumine all those with
whom you come in contact. Be as one spirit, one soul, leaves of
one tree, flowers of one garden, waves of one ocean.

5

As difference in degree of capacity exists among human souls,
as difference in capability is found, therefore, individualities will
differ one from another. But in reality this is a reason for unity and
not for discord and enmity. If the flowers of a garden were all of
one color, the effect would be monotonous to the eye; but if the
colors are variegated, it is most pleasing and wonderful. The difference
in adornment of color and capacity of reflection among the
flowers gives the garden its beauty and charm. Therefore, although
we are of different individualities, different in ideas and of various
fragrances, let us strive like flowers of the same divine garden to
live together in harmony. Even though each soul has its own individual
perfume and color, all are reflecting the same light, all contributing
fragrance to the same breeze which blows through the
garden, all continuing to grow in complete harmony and accord.
Become as waves of one sea, trees of one forest, growing in the
utmost love, agreement and unity.

6

If you attain to such a capacity of love and unity, the Blessed
Perfection will shower infinite graces of the spiritual Kingdom
upon you, guide, protect and preserve you under the shadow of His
Word, increase your happiness in this world and uphold you
through all difficulties. Therefore, it is my hope that day by day
you will become more and more effulgent in the horizon of heaven,
advance nearer and nearer toward the Kingdom of Abhá, attain
greater and greater bounties of the Blessed Perfection. I am joyful,
for I perceive the evidences of great love among you. I go to
Chicago, and when I return I hope that love will have become infinite.
Then will it be an eternal joy to me and the friends in the
Orient.